Derman remembered at memorial as inspiration
Saanich councillor and Capital Regional District director Vic Derman was remembered Sunday as an impassioned educator, dedicated and dependable family man, avid cyclist and a tireless environmental advocate.
“Vic inspired people to find better solutions — to live better and to be better and he led by example,” Saanich Mayor Richard Atwell told about 400 people gathered at the Victoria Conference Centre to remember and pay tribute to Derman.
“Vic made the community better but not because it was his job. It was because it was his passion,” Atwell said.
Derman died unexpectedly in his sleep March 17. He was 72.
Derman ran for municipal office four times before finally winning a Saanich council seat in 2002. “Vic instilled in me that politics was not necessarily about winning or losing an election. It was more about influencing change for the long haul. I think about that a lot and his words motivate me,” said Lana Popham, MLA for Saanich South. “Vic was ahead of his time and that was his greatest challenge — to sustain his commitment and to continue the good fight in the face of naysayers sometimes took a toll,” she said, adding that he always bounced back quickly.
Before being elected to office, Derman was a teacher at Cedar Hill Middle School, Lansdowne Middle School, Spectrum Community School and Shoreline Middle School.
Journalist Sean Holman, a former student of Derman’s, served as master of ceremonies. He, like others, said Derman was an environmentalist long before it became fashionable.
“Who among us had the foresight to install a solar hot water heater in 1981?” Holman asked.
Derman, a founding director of The Land Conservancy of B.C., was also remembered as a prankster and a lover of animals — particularly cats.
Derman’s daughter Michelle, 28, said her father had an incredible zest for life and always provided support and guidance.
“Nature was our family playground, whether it was hiking local mountains, wandering beaches and waterfront and of course, cycling every capital regional trail possible. We did it and we always did it together,” she said.
Derman first became involved in community politics as an executive member of the North Quadra Community Association from 1990 to 2002. The association successfully fought to preserve Christmas Hill as a park after plans were put forward for a major development.
Longtime friend and North Quadra Community Association colleague Haji Charania said Derman was a tough negotiator who could stand up to developers.
“He wrote well. He spoke well and articulated his views with passion. He was a strong debater. Believe me, he was a very strong debater,” he said.
Former View Royal mayor Graham Hill described Derman as a man deserving of respect.
“He was a man who showed up. He showed up to carry his backpack of obligations and endeavours,” Hill said.
Derman was born June 1, 1944, in Saanich and lived in the municipality his entire life.
He is survived by Lauraine, his wife of 30 years, his daughter Michelle, sister Sheila, brother-inlaw Rick Weatherill and nieces Marika and Danielle Smith.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggested donations to The Land Conservancy’s Madrona Farms project, the B.C. SPCA Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre or the Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition.